EP1881684A2 - Method of personalising a telephone communication accessory such as an earphone - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves remotely controlling a functionality e.g. number change functionality, implanted in a memory (19) of a microprocessor (18) of a telephonic communication accessory e.g. earphone (10), by sending a set of alphanumeric characters typed by a user by using a telephone handset (30). The remote control of the functionality is made for actuating another functionality among functionalities implemented in the memory, where the set of characters corresponds to number of functionality to be actuated and an operating parameter associated to the functionality to be actuated. An independent claim is also included for a telephonic communication accessory that is arranged in pairs by a Bluetoothwireless connection with a telephone handset.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for personalizing a telephone communication accessory, such as a headset, paired with a Bluetooth wireless link with a telephone handset, such as a cellular telephone.

In the field of telephone communication accessories paired with a wireless Bluetooth connection with a cellular telephone, vehicle communication kits or earphones are particularly known. These are increasingly used, whether on the street, in a vehicle, at the workplace or at home.

An earphone allows whoever wears it on his ear to call in "free hand" mode. For this, the data (received and sent voice signals) pass through the air by radio waves at a frequency determined according to the Bluetooth standard in force which is used by the devices communicating with each other.

As a general rule, earpieces of this type are equipped with various indicator lights giving information on their operating status (in standby, in communication mode, off), a button for increasing the volume, a decrease button volume and a button to turn the device on and off. More rarely, a small screen that can display a few characters is present, including to view a phone number, the battery level or other information specific to the operation of the headset, especially when it is on its support. associated load.

Most current models offer a particularly useful function called redialing (or "REDIAL") that allows you to quickly recall the person with whom the user has just spoken (called or called) or tried to contact, without having to dial his number, the latter being automatically stored after the previous communication or communication attempt. For this purpose, it is common to use one of the buttons which is provided with the headset, for example that of start-up, with a more or less prolonged pressure for the number to be automatically redialed. This feature is very practical because it avoids using the cell phone while keeping it at a distance sufficient for the Bluetooth connection to be active (about ten meters), for example in a purse, a satchel, on a dashboard of car, in a jacket pocket or on a desk.

However, this function remains very basic, which makes current headsets, and similar accessories, quite limited in terms of features offered to users. However, these users are constantly waiting for new improvements facilitating the use of their headset.

An object of the present invention is therefore to solve the problems mentioned above with a solution that is simple to implement, ergonomic, reliable and inexpensive.

For this, the invention proposes to customize the telephone communication accessory to set and / or activate a feature implanted in the headset that can be used later in a user-friendly manner.

More specifically, the subject of the present invention is a method for personalizing a telephone communication accessory, such as a headset, paired with a Bluetooth wireless link with a telephone handset, such as a cellular telephone, characterized in that it remote control of a feature implemented in a memory of a microprocessor provided in said telephone communication accessory, by sending a sequence of alphanumeric characters entered by a user using the telephone handset.

Advantageously, the remote control of the functionality consists in sending to the headset operating parameters of said functionality using the sequence of alphanumeric characters.

Preferably, the remote control of the functionality consists in activating beforehand, using the alphanumeric character sequence, a new one of several functions implanted in the memory of the microprocessor, said series of alphanumeric characters corresponding to the number of the functionality to activate and possibly at least one operating parameter associated with this feature.

• la suite de caractères alphanumériques saisie sur le téléphone se présente sous la forme suivante :
  • X₀ ; X₁ ; X₂ ; ... ; X_n,
  X₀ étant un nombre entier correspondant au numéro de la fonctionnalité à activer, et X₂ à X_n étant une séquence de caractères alphanumériques correspondant au(x) paramètre(s) de fonctionnement associé(s) à ladite fonctionnalité ;
• au nombre entier X₀ ne correspond qu'une seule fonctionnalité activable à la fois dans l'accessoire de communication téléphonique ;
• le caractère X₁ est un caractère intermédiaire de séparation déterminé à l'avance et permettant à un logiciel, implanté dans le microprocesseur de l'accessoire de communication téléphonique, de distinguer, dans la suite de caractères alphanumériques qui lui est envoyée, le numéro de la fonctionnalité à activer et les paramètres de fonctionnement associés qui doivent être utilisés ;
• la suite de caractères alphanumériques saisie permet de changer la sonnerie retentissant lors d'un appel entrant ;
• la suite de caractères alphanumériques saisie permet d'activer la fonctionnalité consistant à changer un numéro préféré destiné à être enregistré dans la mémoire de l'accessoire de communication téléphonique ;
• la suite de caractères alphanumériques saisie permet de choisir la langue de reconnaissance vocale dans laquelle l'utilisateur prononce les numéros de téléphoner à composer ;
• le contrôle de la fonctionnalité consiste à remplacer une chaîne de caractères entrée sur le combiné téléphonique, lors d'une opération préalable de jumelage avec l'accessoire de communication téléphonique, par ladite suite de caractères alphanumériques ; et
• la chaîne de caractères entrée lors du jumelage correspond à un identifiant attribué de manière arbitraire par l'utilisateur au combiné téléphonique jumelé avec l'accessoire de communication téléphonique.

According to preferred embodiments of the present invention:

• the alphanumeric character string entered on the phone is in the following form:
  • X ₀ ; X ₁ ; X ₂ ; ...; X _n ,
  X ₀ being an integer corresponding to the number of the feature to be activated, and X ₂ to X _n being a sequence of alphanumeric characters corresponding to the operating parameter (s) associated with said functionality;
• the integer X ₀ corresponds to only one activatable feature in the telephone communication accessory at a time;
• the character X ₁ is an intermediate character of separation determined in advance and allowing a software implanted in the microprocessor of the telephone communication accessory, to distinguish, in the sequence of alphanumeric characters sent to it, the number of the functionality to activate and the associated operating parameters to be used;
• the alphanumeric characters entered can be used to change the ringing tone during an incoming call;
• the series of alphanumeric characters entered makes it possible to activate the functionality of changing a preferred number intended to be stored in the memory of the telephone communication accessory;
• the alphanumeric character sequence entered makes it possible to choose the speech recognition language in which the user pronounces the telephone numbers to be dialed;
• the control of the functionality consists in replacing a string of characters entered on the telephone handset, during a preliminary operation of pairing with the telephone communication accessory, by said sequence of alphanumeric characters; and
• the string entered during the match corresponds to an identifier arbitrarily assigned by the user to the telephone handset paired with the telephone communication accessory.

The invention also relates to a telephone communication accessory, such as an atrium, adapted to be paired by a wireless Bluetooth link with a telephone handset, such as a cellular telephone, characterized in that it comprises a microprocessor provided with a memory within which is stored several features, said telephone communication accessory being customizable using a method as defined above.

The present invention furthermore relates to the use of a telephone communication accessory, such as an atrium, paired by a wireless Bluetooth link with a telephone handset, such as a cellular telephone, the accessory being provided with function buttons and customized using the method as defined above, said use being characterized in that it consists in triggering the functionality using only said function buttons, without using the telephone handset with which the accessory is paired.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to particular embodiments given by way of example only and illustrated in Figure 1 schematically showing a cellular telephone paired with an atrium according to the present invention.

Externally, that is to say, mainly from an aesthetic and ergonomic point of view, the atrium 10 shown in Figure 1 does not have different technical characteristics from those known atria. It mainly comprises a plastic shell 11 in several parts, a volume increase button 12 called "VOLUME +", a volume reduction button 13 called "VOLUME -", a main power button 14 called " ON / OFF ", LEDs 15 informing the user of the operating mode of the headset with appropriate color codes, a microphone 16, an in-ear earpiece 17, a microprocessor 18 provided with a memory 19 and a Bluetooth transmitter / receiver 20, conforming for example to the 2.0 EDR standard.

For the atrium 10 according to the present invention to function, a particular data processing software is pre-implanted as soon as it is manufactured in the memory 19 of the microprocessor 18. This software is adapted to interpret, in the form of instructions executable by the atrium. , a series of alphanumeric characters entered on a keyboard 32 (mechanical or virtual) of a cellular telephone 30 paired with the atrium 10.

The memory 19 of the headset also contains a database of functions programmed in advance and remotely parameterizable using the cellular telephone 30, as described below. The large number of activatable functionalities being almost limited only by the storage capacity of the memory 19 of the atrium 10, only a few are described hereinafter in detail for illustrative purposes.

The basic principle of the personalization process of the headset 10 according to the present invention, which consists in activating one of the functionalities of the memory 19, is based on the use of the alphanumeric character string used by any cellular telephone during its pairing. with a Bluetooth wireless phone accessory, such as a headset in this case.

Generally, this character string is a relatively simple identifier to memorize or enter on the keyboard 32 of the cellular phone 30, such as the make and model of the phone, or the name of the owner of the cell phone. Thus, during the pairing phase of the headset with the phone, this identifier is exchanged between the two devices to inform them that they are paired bidirectionally. This identifier can be modified by the user before performing the actual pairing (ie the exchange of various data, including the identifier), or be modified after the pairing, if the user wishes to change it because he does not finds more to his liking or not explicit enough.

Once the pairing is done, the headset 10 and the cell phone 30 can therefore exchange data securely, and in particular allow the wireless transmission of voice signals from a telephone call from the phone to the headset, and vice versa.

To personalize the headset, it is then sufficient for the user to replace, at any time after performing the pairing operation, this identifier by a sequence of different alphanumeric characters.

More precisely, and according to the method according to the present invention, this sequence of characters corresponds, once interpreted by the software implanted in the microprocessor 18 of the headset 10, to the functionality to be activated from the list available in the memory 19 of the headset, at least one operating parameter of the feature in question, and optionally to one or more character (s) of separation to distinguish the functionality of the parameters and a character end indication.

• X₀ ; X₁ ; X₂ ; ... ; X_n,

X₀ étant un nombre entier correspondant au numéro de la fonctionnalité à activer dans la mémoire 19 de l'oreillette 10, et X₁ à X_n étant une séquence de caractères alphanumériques correspondant au(x) paramètre(s) de fonctionnement associé(s) à ladite fonctionnalité et à d'éventuels caractères de séparation et d'indication de fin de séquence.In practice, the sequence of alphanumeric characters entered on the keyboard 32 of the cellular telephone 30 is in the following form:

• X ₀ ; X ₁ ; X ₂ ; ...; X _n ,

X ₀ being an integer corresponding to the number of the functionality to be activated in the memory 19 of the headset 10, and X ₁ to X _n being a sequence of alphanumeric characters corresponding to the associated parameter (s) of operation (s) ) said functionality and any characters of separation and end of sequence indication.

Several examples of application of the personalization method according to the present invention are now described in detail below, with reference to FIG.

Thus, the first feature that the user can choose to implant to personalize his headset is to modify or save at least one favorite phone number in the memory of the headset so that it can be recalled very easily not just a simple key. button, without any direct manipulation of the cell phone. This feature is probably one of the most useful because it is very often used.

For this, the user enters the sequence of alphanumeric characters corresponding on the one hand to the number of the feature to be activated, that is to say the appropriate code X ₀ , and on the other hand to the operating parameters associated with this functionality, namely separation characters, the position of the telephone number to be modified in the headset memory, the telephone number in question and an end indicator.

Thus, it is considered in the illustrated example that the memory of the headset may contain telephone numbers of four types, namely renumbering the last number called / calling ("REDIAL"), T ₀ , T ₁ and T ₂ , ".

The second type of accessible number T ₀ does not include any parameter when the headset 10 is sold, that is to say that this part of the memory 19 is empty at the factory. The end user can therefore enter a new number to save it in the memory 19 of the headset 10. It also has the possibility to change this number at any time.

The third type of accessible number T ₁ is a telephone number already pre-registered at the factory when the headset 10 is purchased, for example the number of the voice mailbox of the telephone operator chosen by the subscriber. This third type of number T ₁ is also modifiable by the end user according to the procedure described below.

Finally, the fourth type of accessible number T ₂ is also a telephone number entered at the factory in the memory 19 of the headset 10, but it can not be modified. This is for example a number to dial in case of emergency.

Thus, the memory 19 of the headset 10 may contain four different types of numbers which are respectively assignable automatically (REDIAL), recordable (T ₀ ), predefined and modifiable (T ₁ ) or predefined but not modifiable (T ₂ ).

In this case, the memory 19 of the atrium 10 contains four numbers ordered according to the list REDIAL - T ₀ - T ₁ - T ₂ , being furthermore, REDIAL is not reprogrammable but changes with each new called / calling number. That said, the memory can very well contain any other type of list, such as REDIAL - T ₁ - T ₁ - T ₂ , or else REDIAL - T ₀ - T ₁ - T ₁ , or else REDIAL - T ₀ - T ₀ - T ₂ .

• 1#3#0607080910#

In the case presented above, which serves as an illustration of the personalization process according to the present invention, it is considered that the user wishes to replace the telephone number in the third position in the memory 19 of the headset 10, c that is, the number of his voice mailbox. This number is modifiable because it is type T ₁ according to the number sequence indicated above. If the user wishes to replace it for example by the number 0607080910, he must then enter the following sequence on the keyboard 32 of his cellphone 30:

• 1 # 3 # 0607080910 #

Indeed, the first number X ₀ = 1 corresponds to the number of the function of modifying a telephone number in the memory 19 of the headset 10.

The second character X ₁ = # corresponds to the separator between the number of the feature to be activated and the operating parameters associated therewith.

The third character X ₂ = 3 corresponds to the third position in the wake of the memory numbers 19 to the headset 10. In this case, it is a type number T _1, so changeable.

The fourth character X ₃ = # is another separator.

The characters X ₄ to X ₁₃ correspond to the telephone number proper to put in the portion T ₁ of the memory 19.

The last character X ₁₄ is an end-of-sequence indicator, that is, the "#" character in this case.

Of course, this telephone number is entered according to the usual standard in telephony. Thus, in the case of a number abroad, it may be useful to add, before the telephone number, the character "+" then the country code and / or region.

Finally, the third number stored in the headset 10 will be equal to the telephone number 0607080910.

• 1#2#0102030405#

Likewise, if the user wishes, for example, to enter the number 0102030405 in the second position of the memory 19 of the headset 10, which corresponds to a non-factory preset number of type T ₀ , he simply has to enter the sequence next :

• 1 # 2 # 0102030405 #

Once stored at least one phone number, the user will be able to call quickly and easily using a single button on the headset, without having to use his cell phone, which can remain in his pocket, on a dashboard support, in a bag or on a desk.

The user has the possibility of using one of the three function buttons of the headset 10. In this case, the use of this functionality is carried out as follows, depending on the number to be attached:

To recall the previously called / REDIAL number, the user simply presses the main (on / off) button 14 for a few moments (for example, 1 to 3 seconds) and then releases it. ci when a short beep (beep) is heard. The number stored in this part of the headset memory, ie the number called "REDIAL", is dialed automatically, without any manipulation of the cell phone.

To join the second number stored in memory, which is type T ₀ , simply press the volume increase button 12 for example a second, and release it when a short beep (beep) is heard. The number N ₀ stored in the memory is then automatically dialed.

To join the third number stored in memory, which is type T ₁ , simply press the volume increase button 12 for example two seconds, and release it when two short beeps (beep) are heard as a result. The number N ₁ stored in the memory is then automatically dialed.

To join the fourth number stored in memory, which is type T ₂ , simply press the volume increase button 12 for example three seconds, and release it when three short beeps (beep) are heard. The number N ₂ stored in the memory is then dialed automatically.

Regarding this first feature, the number of numbers that can be dialed automatically is four, but it can of course be reduced or increased by programming the software in the factory, or by reprogramming said software later by a specialist.

In a second example, it is to activate the feature No. 2 (X ₀ = 2) to remotely change the ringing sound during an incoming call.

• 2#12#

Suppose that the cell phone contains about fifty different ringtones more or less long. It is common that users change ringtones according to their desires, the fashion of the moment, the time of day, etc. Specialized pay services also make it possible to download a large number of frequently updated new ringtones, some of which include at least part of the music that has the greatest number of times on radio or television. If the user wants ring 12 to sound now when he receives a call, he must activate the ring change feature, then assign him the parameters corresponding to this ring number and end with an end-of-ring indicator. sequence. For this, he must enter on the keypad of his cell phone the following sequence of characters:

• 2 # 12 #

Thus, the new ring No. 12 will sound with each new incoming call, as long as the user has not changed it or activated another feature.

It's worth noting that this feature does not involve the use of the headset buttons once activated, unlike the previous feature.

Another particularly interesting feature can be activated in the headset. This is the feature of permanently displaying the charge level of the battery of the headset, corresponding in this case to the feature No. 5 (X ₀ = 5). In this case, only two different parameters can be assigned to this feature: activation (parameter A) or deactivation (parameter D) of the display. Activating this display is useful especially when the headset charger is not available. It is therefore particularly interesting to know where the charge level of the battery is. In return, the display occupies a certain place on the display of the headset. It may then be advantageous to disable this permanent display and replace it with other graphic information relating to the operation of the headset.

The alphanumeric character string to be entered on the keyboard 32 of the cellular phone 30 to activate this feature is 5 # A #.

To disable it, just enter 5 # D #.

In this case, when the feature is activated, the user wishing to know the state of charge of the battery of the headset will for example press twice on the volume increase button 12. At this time, a sound signal can be emitted according to this state of charge, for example a high-pitched sound for a full charge, a bass sound for an average charge and two bass sounds for a zero charge.

As can be seen, the user can completely redefine the use he makes of his headset 10 by taking some remote control of the cell phone 30. The programming is extremely simple, just know the number of the functionality to activate (number X ₀ ) among a simple list, then to enter parameters that are defined in the most intuitive way possible to guide the user (telephone number according to the usual nomenclature, letter A for activation and letter D for disabling a feature, choosing a parameter from a known list, for example ringtones, etc.).

Moreover, at each number X ₀ entered corresponds only one and only one functionality so that there can be no confusion of interpretation of the alphanumeric string by the headset 10 when activating the feature .

Certain features implemented in the memory of the microprocessor of the headset do not call, once activated, the use of the buttons of the headset. These are, for example, functionalities intended simply to modify a state of the headset, for example the resetting of its factory parameters, the activation of the speech synthesis for the oral composition of the numbers or the deactivation of the headset's battery to store it for a long time.

According to an alternative embodiment, the user may only have to enter a series of alphanumeric characters corresponding simply to at least one parameter of a single functionality originally implanted in the atrium, without having to activate beforehand this functionality.

For example, the memory 19 of the headset may contain the functionality of being able to choose the language in which the user pronounces the telephone number for voice dialing automatic dialing. The only parameter to be entered on the keyboard 32 of the cellular telephone 30 is therefore the choice of the language in question, using a number corresponding to said language.

Thus, if the user wishes to pronounce in French language numbers to dial, it will enter for example the number 1 on the keyboard 32 of the cell phone 30 instead of the match identifier, followed for example by the character "#" d end of sequence indicator. The software implanted in the microprocessor 18 of the headset 10 will then interpret this sequence of characters so as to switch to speech recognition mode in French.

Similarly, if the user wishes to spell the phone numbers in English language, it will suffice for example to enter the sequence of characters 2 # on the keyboard 32 of the cell phone 30.

It goes without saying that the detailed description of the subject of the invention, given solely by way of illustration, does not in any way constitute a limitation, the technical equivalents also being included in the scope of the present invention.

Thus, the method according to the present invention can very well be applied to a car Bluetooth wireless hands-free communication kit, or a car radio also offering a hands-free communication function and can be paired with a cellular phone.

• le changement du code PIN (« Personnal Identification Number » - « Code d'Identification Personnelle »), alors que ce code est normalement unique et implanté en sortie d'usine ;
• le mode économie d'énergie de la batterie (par désactivation de certains composants de l'oreillette gourmands en énergie) ;
• le réglage de la fréquence pour mettre plus ou moins de graves et d'aigus dans le son ;
• la définition de la matrice d'affichage si l'oreillette possède un écran ;
• le choix des informations affichées sur l'écran ;
• l'afflux temporaire d'énergie supplémentaire aux composants de l'oreillette sur une courte période ;
• le choix de la couleur des diodes électroluminescentes (DEL), leur rythme de clignotement ;
• l'entrée d'un code secret pour accéder à des fonctions spéciales ;
• l'activation/désactivation de l'accès aux fonctions spéciales ; et
• la fonction « débogage », pour mettre l'oreillette dans un état spécifique permettant de déclencher des traces pour analyser le logiciel implanté et de détecter d'éventuels dysfonctionnements.

Thus, among the other functionalities that can be activated remotely in the headset (once implanted in the memory thereof), and then used by the user include:

• the change of the PIN code ("Personnal Identification Number"), whereas this code is normally unique and implanted at the factory;
• the battery's energy saving mode (by deactivating certain energy-hungry headphone components);
• setting the frequency to put more or less bass and treble in the sound;
• the definition of the display matrix if the headset has a screen;
• the choice of information displayed on the screen;
• the temporary influx of extra energy to the atrium components over a short period;
• the choice of the color of the light-emitting diodes (LEDs), their flashing rhythm;
• entering a secret code to access special functions;
• activation / deactivation of access to special functions; and
• the "debug" function, to put the headset in a specific state to trigger traces to analyze the implanted software and detect any malfunctions.

Claims (13)

A method for personalizing a telephone communication accessory (10), such as a headset, paired by a Bluetooth wireless link with a telephone handset (30), such as a cellular telephone, characterized in that it consists of controlling remote a feature implemented in a memory (19) of a microprocessor (18) provided in said telephone communication accessory (10), by sending a sequence of alphanumeric characters entered by a user using the telephone handset (30). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the remote control of the functionality consists in sending to the headset operating parameters of said functionality using the alphanumeric character sequence. Personalization method according to claim 1, characterized in that the remote control of the functionality consists in activating, beforehand, with the help of the alphanumeric characters sequence, a new one of several functions implanted in the memory (19) of the microprocessor ( 18), said sequence of alphanumeric characters corresponding to the number of the functionality to be activated and possibly to at least one operating parameter associated with this functionality. Method according to Claim 3, characterized in that the sequence of alphanumeric characters entered on the telephone handset is in the following form: X ₀ ; X ₁ ; X ₂ ; ...; X _n , X ₀ being an integer corresponding to the number of the functionality to be activated, and X ₂ to X _n being a sequence of alphanumeric characters corresponding to the operating parameter (s) associated with said functionality. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that to each integer number X ₀ entered corresponds only one activable functionality in both the telephone communication accessory (10). A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the character X ₁ is an intermediate character of separation determined in advance and allowing a software implanted in the microprocessor (18) of the telephone communication accessory (10) to distinguish, in the sequence of alphanumeric characters sent to it, the number of the feature to be activated and the associated operating parameters to be used. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that further input alphanumeric characters enables the functionality of changing the resounding ringing tone when an incoming call. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the alphanumeric character sequence entered enables the functionality of changing a preferred number to be stored in the memory (19) of the telephone communication accessory. Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the alphanumeric character sequence entered makes it possible to choose the speech recognition language in which the user pronounces the telephone numbers to be dialed. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functionality check consists in replacing a string of characters entered on the telephone handset (30) during a prior pairing operation with the telephone communication accessory. (10) by said sequence of alphanumeric characters. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the character string entered during the pairing corresponds to an identifier arbitrarily assigned by the user to the telephone handset (30) paired with the telephone communication accessory (10). A telephone communication accessory (10), such as a headset, adapted to be paired by a Bluetooth wireless link with a telephone handset (30), such as a cellular telephone, characterized in that it comprises a microprocessor (18). ) with a memory (19) inside which are stored several functionalities, said telephone communication accessory (10) being customizable using a method according to any one of the preceding claims. Use of a telephone communication accessory (10), such as a headset, paired by a Bluetooth wireless link with a telephone handset (30), such as a cellular telephone, the accessory being provided with function buttons ( 12; 13; 14) and customized with the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it consists in triggering the functionality using only said function buttons (12; 13; 14). , without using the handset (30) with which the accessory (10) is paired.

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